Summer news
F A R M
A rather wet period has thrown its problems at the farm, but the harvest is underway with crops of winter barley and winter wheat being gathered.
We saw 115 Limousin and Beef Shorthorn Cross calves born this year and the herd can be seen happily chomping their way through the lush fields created by our rainy summer.
James Martin joined us as stockman in May and he and his partner Zoe have settled into Stone Hall farm.
W O O D S
Wet conditions have hampered extraction, but the show must go on and the team continue with weeding, thinning and felling. The department has been joined by apprentice Andrew King. Currently studying forestry at Plumpton College, Andrew is proving a very handy young man to have in the team.
Sawmill orders continue to roll in, but the crazy levels seen in lockdown have lessened.
The whole Estate was affected by the untimely loss of Toby Carrington, who tragically passed away in June. His cheery demeanor will be greatly missed at the sawmill. Our thoughts remain with his family.
O R I E N T E E R S
The Southdowns Orienteers enjoyed their event in the Rivers Wood area in March and was attended by some 130 competitors. As an avid hobby of Simon Greenwood, orienteering is regularly seen on the Estate with a national event planned for March 22.
P R O P E R T Y
A major refurbishment of 1 Mates Nest in Mill Lane was completed in May.
B A L C O M B E P L A C E
It’s been far from a normal time at Balcombe Place, which is usually only available for exclusive event use on a set number of days per year. Since lockdown restrictions have ended, manager Emma and her team have been flat out with weekly weddings in a bid to catch up for numerous happy couples to enjoy their belated celebrations.
G A M E S H O P
Along with seasonal game from the Estate, the Game Shop has expanded to provide hot drinks. In addition, manager Jo will shortly be producing Jo’s Cottage Bakes to add to the offering so watch this space. The Estate Office staff have stoically taken on the task of tasting samples. In the meantime, delicious local biscuits and gingerbread are available with your coffee. So, coupled with some smart new picnic benches, the shop is now a welcome stop for walkers.
As the new season begins, the shop will be well stocked with favourite game meats plus accompanying chutneys and preserves.
S T A B L E S
We said fond farewell to groom Leanne Mills, who has moved onto pastures new after several years at Stone Hall Stables. Daisy Evci has now joined us as her replacement. Daisy has experience of event and showjumping yards and we hope she enjoys her new role.
ARCHIVED NEWS
Spring news 2021
Welcome to the inaugural Balcombe Estate news section. Each season we hope to share some snippets about what’s going on in our beautiful corner of Sussex. In the midst of the global pandemic it is reassuring to see flora and fauna continuing regardless, with spring flowers popping up providing much needed cheer and birdsong heralding lighter mornings.
At Stone Hall farm, calving is in full swing. We recently waved a fond farewell to Nick Walker who had worked for the Greenwood family for 23 years. Nick has moved up to Northumberland to take on a new role and we wish him and his family all the best. A new stockperson will be appointed shortly.
Tom Parrott recently celebrated 30 years at the farm providing an opportunity for a Covid secure gathering, and plenty of cake was in order.
Two cottages adjacent to Balcombe Place recently underwent much needed refurbishment and these quirky dwellings now have new occupiers who are delighted to be living in the shadow of the Victorian mansion’s splendour.
Elsewhere, a cottage by the sawmill has been completely refurbished and the one bedroom property will now be home to a member of staff. Almost all of the works have been completed in-house by the Maintenance team so a well done is due to them all.
At Balcombe Place itself, events and weddings have been postponed and empty event spaces have been hard to see, however the downtime provided an opportunity for continuing with upgrading further rooms ready for use. Director and member of the Greenwood family Fiona, and her manager Emma, are now dab-hands at decorating and their hard work continues to show off the period charm of the building which was hidden for many years during its use as a care home.
This classic Victorian semi had been vacant for some while and was badly in need of TLC. Local contractor, Spacelink, were appointed to carry out the works and we were pleased to see tenants move straight in.
Photo: Holly Rose
The Forestry team are busy planting an estimated 12000 new trees in several locations, whilst ash die back control continues across the Estate. With us all paying greater attention on our gardens, the sawmill has been kept busy with landscaping, fencing and cladding orders throughout lockdown.
Standing proudly and undisturbed across the Ouse Valley for over 180 years, lockdown has seen the viaduct become a magnet to all and sundry. Visiting the countryside has increased in popularity during our enforced confinements, and, coupled with the landmark’s appearance in lists of top places to see, the site is regularly now heaving with onlookers. This increased interest has led to dangerous - and at times inconsiderate -parking, churned up verges and damaged field crops. We would ask that visitors are respectful of the land and the nearby residents. Do also please stick to public footpaths. It is extraordinary to see the lengths people will go to get over purposefully placed barriers.
In the short term we will be improving signage but we are also considering longer term improvements in a bid to make the area safer for visitors and to keep private land as just that.
Balcombe Estate Game Shop
The Game Shop is our newest venture. We stock venison, partridge, pheasant and duck produced by the Estate, along with preserves, honey, ice cream and gifts. Also available are logs and kindling from the sawmill plus a range of seasonal produce. Our friendly manager, Jo, is happy to offer cooking advice and ideas on cooking game.
Current opening times are Wednesday & Thursday 9.30am – 3.30pm, Friday & Saturday 9.30 am – 4pm. Do pop in for a browse or to chat to Jo about any special occasion requirements you may have.